The School Festival
"Great work with the haunted house, Class 2-C. You're good to go." Ochaco said to Neito and Itsuka as she and the rest of the student council stood in front of them.
"Thank you so much! I'm glad all our efforts paid off." Itsuka smiled while wearing a black hood and robes.
"We hope to give you all a Spooktacular time this Saturday!" Neito added as he dresses up as a vampire with fake sharp fangs. Ochaco and the other council members nod their heads to them before they turn and walk down the hallway.
"Alright, next is Class 2-B with their butler and maid café." Tenya said to Ochaco, staring at the clipboard in his hand as he walks alongside her.
"That's right." Ochaco responded. "And since Class 2-A is doing a stage performance this year, we allowed them to use their classroom as their kitchen."
Today is the first of November, and there is only a day left before the annual School Festival. For the last two weeks since the end of the Second Final exams, the students have been staying behind after school hours to rehearse for their performance or transform their classroom into a cultural venue. And for yesterday and today, there are no lessons at all so that the students are given more time to make their final preparations. The student council is currently visiting every classroom to review their progress and confirm if they are truly ready for the festival.
As they make their way to the door to Class 2-B, Ochaco and the others can see a huge banner that says 'Nerima Academia Café' being hung on the walls. They soon find themselves standing in front of the door and Ochaco knocks on it. They waited for a few seconds before the door opens to reveal a boy with chin-length black hair.
"Good morning, senpais. I'm Hanta Sero. Welcome to Class 2-B." The student said as he bows his head. Instead of wearing their usual school uniform, the boy is dressed in a black tuxedo and black pants.
"Good morning, Sero-san." Ochaco replied as she and the rest of the student council bow back to him. "Would you like to show us what you and your class have done?"
"Sure!" Hanta winks an eye. He turns to the side and gestures the student council to the interior of the classroom. "Come on in!"
Ochaco, Tenya, Tsuyu, Hado, Amajiki, Shiozaki and Tsuburaba step inside and see Izuku, Shouto, Denki, Jirou, Kirishima and eight other students standing around the classroom. The boys are dressed in the same black tuxedos as Hanta while the girls are dressed in black blouses, black skirts, white headdresses, and white aprons.
"Good morning, senpais! Welcome to Nerima Academia Café!" Everyone greeted the student council as they all bow their heads to them. As everyone looks back up at them, Izuku smiled at Ochaco. The student council president flashes a quick smile at him before she and the other student council members look around. They see that the tables are no longer arranged in vertical rows. Instead, some of them are put against the wall of the left side of the classroom for single customers while the others are placed next to each other for more than one person. On the right side of the classroom, there are letters placed above the windows that read 'Welcome to the café' and some pictures of cups of coffee, omelet rice and Takoyaki balls.
As they do so, Jirou trembles as she struggles to keep her grin on her face. A female student standing beside her whispers into her ear, "Come on Jirou, there's nothing to be ashamed of since we are all wearing the same outfits as you."
"I'm still struggling to realize why this theme had to win by just one vote." Jirou replied softly through her gritted teeth.
"What do you think of the design of our café?" Hanta asked the student council.
"The presentation looks great. But just make sure there is enough space for customers and waiters to move around." Ochaco said to him.
"Sure. Would you like to see the menu?" Hanta asked.
"Of course." Ochaco said.
"Here you go, Uraraka-senpai." A female student said as she steps forward and hands the student council president a list of food. Ochaco takes it from her hand and she and the other student council members look at it.
"Rikido Sato is the one who suggested all of these items, which is why we appointed him to be the head chef. He and five other students are currently in the next room where he is teaching them how to prepare the food and drinks." Hanta explained.
"Try not to put too many items in your menu. If you do, it will only provide more work for the kitchen staff. And when they do, the customers would have to wait longer for their orders to arrive." Tsuyu suggested.
"That's a good suggestion there, Asui-san." Ochaco said as she and Tsuyu smile at each other.
"Arigatou, Asui-san!" Hanta said, nodding his head to her. "We'll keep that in mind."
"Good job with the dining area overall, Class 2-B. Now, we would like to see the kitchen please." Tenya said to Hanta.
"Of course. Right this way." Hanta said before he escorts the student council out and to the next classroom. When the door closes, the remaining students cheered.
"Well done guys! We pass the presentation of the dining area! And once Sato and the others impress the council with their culinary skills, we'll be given the all-clear!" Kirishima said enthusiastically.
"What a relief. Now we can enjoy ourselves for tomorrow's festival." A female student said smiling.
"You said it, Setsuna." A male student responded to her. Izuku smiles at the happiness his fellow students are currently displaying before Shouto places his hand on his shoulder.
"Izuku, let's give our all tomorrow." Shouto said to him.
"Yeah, let's do it." Izuku nods his head to his friend.
"That's right." Denki said. Izuku turns his head and sees him, Jirou, Kirishima and all the other students looking back at him with a mixture of excitement and sadness on their faces. "Tomorrow is going to be your last school festival here in Tokyo, Izuku. So, let us all work hard to make it the most memorable one you ever had."
Izuku briefly looks back at Shouto, who gives him a nod. He turns back to the other students with his lips now curved into a sad smile.
"Arigatou, minna." Izuku said. "Tomorrow, we are going to cherish our time in the festival as much as we can."
When the school bell rang, the students temporarily leave their classrooms to have their lunch. The students of Class 2-B go to the classroom next door where Sato and the others have already prepared food for them. Jirou takes a bite of some omelet rice and looks back at Sato with her eyes wide.
"Your food tastes so good as always, Sato!" Jirou remarked.
"Arigatou, Jirou!" Sato replied with a wide smile. "The student council think so too, which is why they easily approve our food and confirm that we are ready for tomorrow's festival."
"I knew we can count on you, Sato!" Hanta said happily to him.
The students continue eating their food and conversing with each other for the next ten minutes. And when they are done, they throw their empty plastic plates and cups into a trash bag.
"So, what are you planning to do now, Shouto?" Izuku asked his friend.
"Well, I promise to meet up with Momo. She and her class are probably done with their rehearsals and lunch by now." Shouto said to him.
"I see. I'll see you later then. Bye." Izuku said as he waves his hand at Shouto.
"Bye." Shouto waves back at him before they leave the classroom and go their separate ways.
Izuku casually walks through the hallway, thinking he will just spend the time away going around the school until their break is over. That was his intention at least. Instead, when he got near the stairs, he sees Ochaco, Hado and Tenya walking down. Izuku quickly came to a halt while the three student council members turn their heads to him.
"Good afternoon, Oc-Uraraka-senpai." Izuku greeted, bowing his head to Ochaco.
"Good afternoon. You were one of the students in Class 2-B, right?" Ochaco asked.
"Yes, I am." Izuku said.
"Great work with the café. I'll see you tomorrow." Ochaco said.
"Likewise, senpai." Izuku replied. As he watches her leave, along with Hado and Tenya, his lips soon curve downwards.
Ever since when Ochaco passes him his lunch and adjusts his tie in front of everyone in school that day, they made a vow that they would never act like they know each other in front of the students again, with the exception of their friends. He used to feel extremely ashamed and embarrassed if the rest of the school were to know that he is living with the student council president. But after realizing that he does have feelings for her, it is hard for him to believe he would think that way now. And despite admitting that he liked her back in Oshima, he still had no idea what Ochaco actually meant with her response to him. Did she just like him as a normal friend, or was it more than just admiration? He cursed himself for still letting something inside his mind stopped him from using the right word back then.
Izuku sighs heavily before he walks up the stairs and makes his way to the rooftop. Hopefully, some fresh air and a nice scenery of the school and neighborhood would help clear his mind.
When Izuku reaches the top of the stairs, he opens the door to the rooftop. But as soon as he took a step through the doorway, he sees a familiar figure standing in the distance and stares blankly through the metal fences installed on the parapet.
"Shigaraki!" Izuku gasped in shock before he quickly took a few steps back and closes the door. But after a few seconds, Izuku opens the door and takes another look at him. To his surprise, gone was the cold and intimidating look on his face whenever he had the desire to pick on a helpless victim. Also, he was no longer wearing his white mask, revealing a sad frown and the despondent eyes on his face. Curious to know what is going through his mind, Izuku builds up the courage to open the door wider and step into the rooftop.
"Shigaraki?" Izuku asked as he walks over to him. Tomura snaps out of his thoughts and turns his head to him.
"Midoriya?" Tomura asked in confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question." Izuku said as he now stands beside him. But he soon notices that Tomura is inching away from him.
"A-Are you okay standing next to me?" Tomura asked worriedly.
"I won't bite." Izuku chuckled. Tomura stares at him dumbfounded for a few seconds before he moves back to his original position and turn his head back to the front. Izuku looks to the front too as he joins him in staring out the scenery before them. "So, what's going on? Why the sad look on your face?"
"I…I don't know if I can get along with anyone in this year's school festival." Tomura replied.
"Why not? Don't you have your friends to accompany you? You know, Himiko, Dabi and Kai?"
"Himiko and I are still friends. But…I've since cut ties with Dabi and Kai." Tomura said sadly.
"What happened?" Izuku asked as he turns to Tomura with his eyes widened.
"Ever since that fight with you and your friend at the alley, Dabi and Kai start to have doubts with me. They no longer seem to think that I'm the strong leader they always believe I am. In fact, after the fight, I…just don't feel like the same person I used to be anymore. I lost the interest to pick on people and act tough in front of others. So Dabi and Kai lost their respect for me. And eventually, they just don't want to hang out with me anymore." Tomura explained.
"I'm sorry." Izuku said apologetically, feeling some sympathy for Tomura as he knows how it feels to lose a friend.
"No. Don't be. After everything I've done to you, I truly deserved it." Tomura said dejectedly. "And after all my thoughts in wanting to be the toughest man are completely gone, only now did I start to realize that this will be my final year in high school…and I have actually done nothing productive here for the last three years. It's painful when you take your life and time for granted…and never realize how precious they are until it's too late."
Izuku stares at Tomura for a moment before he blows out a sigh and turns his body to him.
"Yeah. You're right. Time waits for no one." Izuku said grimly. "So, you should try to cherish whatever time you have left here by hanging out with your schoolmates, especially during tomorrow's festival."
"How do you know?" Tomura asked curiously as he turns his head to him.
"I know how it's like to lose something and someone in our lives too. But let's just say some new friends I've made during the last eleven months finally made me realize that no matter how awful things may seem, we still need to move forward and live our lives to the fullest." Izuku said. "And I think you can start doing so by working along with your classmates on whatever theme you all have planned for tomorrow."
"But…so many people here in this school distrust me. Why would they ever want to hang out with me after everything I've done? How can I even make up for it?" Tomura asked.
"Just show them what kind of person you can truly be. You'll never know unless you try. And even if your time here is nearing its end, don't just think of it as the end of a journey, but also the beginning of a new one. And until you can find your footing again…" Izuku smiled at Tomura as he extends a hand to him. "I wish you all the best."
Tomura blankly stares at Izuku's hand for a few moments before he grabs it. Izuku could feel his body tremble as they shook hands with each other.
"Arigatou…Midoriya…" Tomura said barely above a whisper.
The next day…
Everyone outside the school's main building cheered as a few fireworks burst in the sky to signal the start of the annual school festival. While the students get ready to manage their stalls and cultural venues, Ochaco and the rest of the student council are standing near the gates and hold a final meeting.
"Alright everyone! The school festival has officially begun! It's up to us to make sure every student is in their best behavior, so we can show the public our school's image in its purest form!" Tenya said to the other student council members as he and Ochaco stand in front of them.
"Yes, Iida-senpai!" Tsuyu, Hado, Amajiki, Shiozaki and Tsuburaba all responded in unison.
"Let's give our all!" Ochaco said with a wide smile.
"Yes, Uraraka-senpai!" They said in unison again.
A few minutes later, the security guards open the gates, allowing members of the public to enter the school grounds. The area outside the school's main building is filled with many food and gift stalls, all lined up in vertical rows on both sides.
"Welcome to our school festival! We hope you have a wonderful time!" Tsuyu greeted the visitors as she and Tsuburaba gave pamphlets to them while standing at both sides of the gateway.
"Experience everything that our school has to offer!" Tsuburaba said.
Meanwhile, Ochaco and Amajiki observed Mirio Togata managing a candy apple stall near the entrance of the school's main building. When he finished making two candy apples, he hands them to a couple standing in front of him.
"Enjoy your apples and the rest of the festival!" Mirio said to them with a grin.
"Arigatou!" The couple said to him as they grab their apples and walk inside the school. Mirio turns and waves his hand at Ochaco and Amajiki. "Good morning, senpais!"
"Good morning!" Ochaco and Amajiki both said as they wave back at him.
"Why don't you and your friend have a candy apple from me later today, Uraraka-senpai?" Mirio said as he winks an eye at her. Ochaco laughed cheerfully in response.
"I'll take that to consideration." Ochaco replied.
"Um, what?" Amajiki said puzzled.
"It's a long story." Ochaco said to him as she and Amajiki walk away.
"Welcome to Nerima Academia. Check out our art museum at Class 3-D." A girl said as she passes a pamphlet to a visitor. She turns around and extends another pamphlet to Ochaco and Amajiki, who both happen to walk by her. "Hello there um-"
Ochaco and Amajiki came to a halt and turn their heads to the girl, who worriedly stares back at the student council president.
"Hello Toga." Ochaco greeted her.
"G-G-Good morning…Uraraka-senpai." Himiko said nervously as she hands her the pamphlet. Ochaco takes it and stares briefly at it before looking back at her with a warm smile.
"An art museum in your class? I'll be sure to drop by later." Ochaco said.
"A-Arigatou." Himiko said, managing to crack a small smile before she turns and walks away. Ochaco kept smiling as she and Amajiki watch her leave.
When Ochaco and Amajiki look back to the front, the two of them walk over to Shiozaki who is observing the students managing the food and gift stalls at the center of the area.
"How's everything so far, Shiozaki-san?" Ochaco inquired.
"So far so good, Uraraka-senpai." Shiozaki replied with a nod.
When Ochaco turns her head to the gateway, she sees two familiar figures entering the school grounds and a huge smile appears on her face.
"Bakugo! Eliot-san!" Ochaco calls out to them as she raised her hand. As soon as they heard her voice, Bakugo and Eliot slightly turn to their left and spotted her with Shiozaki and Amajiki.
"Yo, Ochaco." Bakugo said as he and Eliot wave their hands at her.
"Good morning, Ochaco!" Eliot greeted cheerfully.
"Shiozaki, Amajiki, would it be alright if you can continue patrolling this area for me?" Ochaco asked politely to her fellow council members.
"Sure. You can count on us." Shiozaki said as she and Amajiki bow their heads to her.
"Arigatou." Ochaco said gratefully, bowing back to them before she rushes over to Bakugo and Eliot. "Hello, I'm glad you two can make it."
"Eh, I got nothing better to do today. So, I decided to drop by and see how Izuku's school looks like." Bakugo said.
"Me too. I'm eager to see what Izuku is doing for this festival." Eliot said enthusiastically.
"Well, let me take you to him then." A familiar voice said to Eliot. The man instantly perks up.
"Good morning, Melissa! How are you today?" Eliot greeted joyfully as he, Ochaco and Bakugo see her walking over to them.
"I'm perfectly fine, Eliot. I'm happy to see you here." Melissa responded, smiling cheerfully at him with her hands placed behind her back. The two adults briefly smile at each other until they could hear Eliot's stomach rumbling. "Have you taken your breakfast yet?"
"Ahahaha, no. I sure haven't." Eliot said, grinning nervously as he rubs the back of his head.
"Well, you are in luck because my class is currently operating as a café for this year's festival!" Melissa said before she grabs Eliot's hand. "Come on! I'll show you the way!"
"Thanks, Melissa!" Eliot replied, allowing Melissa to drag him along with her.
"Enjoy the festival, Eliot-san!" Ochaco calls out to him.
"I sure will!" Eliot responded, waving his hand back at her.
"Now then, shall I give you the grand tour of our school?" Ochaco asked Bakugo.
"Sure thing." Bakugo said to her with a warm smile. "Lead the way, miss president."
"Here you go. Two plates of omelet rice and two cups of coffee. Just like you ordered." Izuku said politely to two adults as he carefully takes the food and drinks out from the tray in his other hand and places them on the table.
"Arigatou." The man said as he and his girlfriend bow their heads to him.
"You're welcome." Izuku replied to them. He turns his head to Jirou who just placed a plate of yakisoba noodles in front of a customer sitting in front of the wall at the left side of the classroom.
"W-We hope…you enjoy your food, m-ma'am." Jirou said, bowing to the woman.
"Arigatou." The woman said to her. Jirou briefly smiled back at her before she turns to see Izuku walking over to her.
"Not bad with your first customer, Jirou." Izuku said to her.
"Yeah. I guess after watching how the other girls interact with the customers, I decided to try it for myself. Maybe if I interact with a few more people, I may finally get used to it." Jirou said. "It's ironic that on the day you wanted to hang out with me after school when my other friends are unavailable, you were the one who is acting all shy and awkward. And now, our positions have completely switched, huh?"
"Sure is." Izuku said before the two of them simply chuckled.
"Izuku, no matter what happens to us in the future, I'm really thankful that you asked me if you could go with me to the mall that day." Jirou said to him. Izuku silently nods his head to her before the door slides open.
"Good morning, class!" Melissa greeted all her students who are currently in the 'dining area'.
"Good morning, Shield-sensei!" Izuku, Jirou, Shouto, Denki and the other students responded as they all bow down to her.
"Is there a spare table for me and my friend, Midoriya?" Melissa asked Izuku as she and Eliot walk over to him.
"Yes we do, Shield-sensei. Right this way." Izuku replied. As he escorts Melissa and Eliot to their table, the latter could see the other students glancing at him and murmuring to themselves. He supposed his looks and the fact that their teacher just referred him as her friend are what made the students fascinated by him.
When they arrived at an empty table, Izuku moves aside and gestures Melissa and Eliot to take their seats. After the adults sit down, Denki walks over to the table and hands each of them a menu.
"Take a look at what we have, Shield-sensei. Sato makes the best." Denki said to his teacher.
"Thanks, Kaminari-san." Melissa said as she stares at Denki for a moment. "You sure look like a completely different person in that outfit."
As Denki smiles sheepishly at his teacher, he places his hands behind his back and bows his head to her. "Arigatou, Shield-sensei."
"The omelet rice sounds delish." Eliot said. He puts the menu down and turns to Kirishima, who is standing beside him with a notepad in his hand. "I'll take one, along with a cup of coffee."
"Sure thing!" Kirishima said as he writes on his notepad.
"I'll take the curry rice, a cup of tea and some Takoyaki balls as our side dish." Melissa said to Kirishima as she hands the menu back to Denki.
"Of course, Shield-sensei. Coming right up!" Kirishima said, writing down his teacher's order. "Please wait for your food to arrive."
"We hope you enjoy your time here." Izuku said as Kirishima makes his way out of the classroom.
"Arigatou, Midoriya." Melissa said as she and Eliot secretly wink an eye at him. Izuku winks back at them before he and Denki casually walk away to attend other customers.
Melissa and Eliot look around the classroom as they patiently wait for their food to arrive. While Melissa looked at the decorations that her students have hung up, Eliot sees a couple sitting near them at another table. He sees the man and woman smiling blissfully at each other as he places his hand on top of hers. Eliot frowns as he observes them.
"Hey. What's wrong?" Melissa asked. Eliot looks back at her and Melissa gestures him to say something.
"Well…I really am lucky to be your friend, Melissa. I'm glad that we share the same interests, and you have been so much fun to talk with." Eliot said nervously to her.
"I think the same way about you too, Eliot." Melissa smiled at him.
Eliot nods his head before he continued, "But at the same time, I'm worried about how our future together would be like."
"What do you mean?" Melissa asked.
"The thing is…you're a teacher. While I am just an owner of a comic bookstore. I don't know if I am truly good enough for you." Eliot said worriedly. As Izuku stood beside a customer, he stops whatever he was writing on his notepad and turns his head to his friend. "I'm sorry…but these are just thoughts that have been lingering in my mind for a while."
Melissa chortled in response. "What are you talking about?"
Suddenly, much to Eliot's surprise, Melissa places her hand above his while keeping a wide smile on her face.
"Eliot…I don't care what our professions are." Melissa said. "All I care is that I have a friend here in Tokyo. And that is already the greatest gift you have given me."
"So…you accept me for who I am?" Eliot asked with his eyes widened. Melissa eagerly nods her head. "That's great!"
As Eliot's cheerful outburst now attracts the attention of everyone currently inside the 'dining area', Melissa looks at all her students.
"Everyone, I know you are already wondering who he really is as soon as you see him, and all I can say is…you're right." Melissa said before she gestures Eliot to stand up with her. The two adults stand up from their seats and Melissa wraps an arm around Eliot's upper torso. "He is my boyfriend."
The students and customers stare blankly at them for a moment before Izuku, Shouto, Denki and Jirou began clapping their hands. The other students and customers followed suit and everyone in the room cheered and hooted. As Eliot hugs Melissa back, the two adults turn their heads to each other and smiled fondly.
"I like you, Melissa." Eliot said.
"I like you too, Eliot." Melissa replied.
Izuku smiled at them until the customer beside him asked in annoyance, "Um, excuse me sir?"
"Oh!" Izuku snaps out of his thoughts, turns back to the customer, and bows his head apologetically. "Sorry!"
After Eliot and Melissa finished eating their food, Izuku escorts them to the classroom door. He slides open the door for them and moves aside.
"Thank you for dropping by, Shield-sensei. I'm glad the both of you loved our food." Izuku said to them.
"Give our regards to Sato for us. He will be a great chef one day." Melissa said to Izuku.
"I will." Izuku said smiling.
"Keep up the good work, buddy." Eliot said, winking his eye at Izuku again.
"Arigatou." Izuku bows his head to them before they step out of the classroom. When Izuku closes the door, he gazed at it as he began thinking about what had happened between Melissa and Eliot earlier.
Eliot was able to confess his true and honest thoughts to his teacher. And despite their different backgrounds, Melissa still sees him more than her friend, and wholeheartedly accepts him into her life. Izuku slowly curls his fingers into fists as his brows furrowed. He still doesn't fully understand what Ochaco really meant with her response back in Oshima. But what he does understand is that he had to know while he still has the chance. And if he had the courage to tell his friends that he and his mother are moving out of Tokyo by the end of the year, why couldn't he do the same with his roommate?
"Ochaco…" Izuku murmured. Suddenly, the door in front of him slides open, revealing Hanta holding a plate of Takoyaki balls.
"Midoriya? What are you doing just standing there?" Hanta asked in confusion. Izuku briefly looks back at him and bows his head apologetically.
"Sorry Sero. Can you please tell Sato and the others that I would like to take a short break? There's something I had to do." Izuku said.
Without saying another word, Izuku hastily walks past Hanta and rushes down the hallway, leaving his classmate standing there to wonder what had just happened.
Izuku steps out of the school's main building and frantically looks around the crowded area. A few seconds later, he laid his eyes on Shiozaki and Amajiki who are both observing a shaved ice stall while standing a few meters away from it. Recognizing them from the student council, Izuku quickly rushes over to them, apologizing to anybody he bumped into along the way.
"Shiozaki-san! Amajiki-senpai!" Izuku cried to them. The two student council members puzzledly turn their heads to the right and see the green-haired boy dressed in a black tuxedo running over to them.
"Umm, can we help you?" Amajiki asked Izuku.
After catching his breath, Izuku looks back at them and replied, "I'm sorry to disturb but the both of you are in the student council, right?"
"Yes." Shiozaki replied. "What is-"
"May I know where the student council president is?" Izuku abruptly asked.
"Uraraka-senpai? We last saw her escorting a friend of hers into the school." Amajiki replied.
"Bakugo." Izuku whispered to himself, remembering that his friend told him he would be visiting his school today.
"If I'm not wrong…" Shiozaki added as she looks down at her watch. "The stage performances started fifteen minutes ago. She is probably at the backstage of the auditorium with Hado-san right-"
"Arigatou!" Izuku cuts Shiozaki off again as he bows down to her and Amajiki. The two council members watch as Izuku whirls about and runs his way back into the main building.
"That was…weird." Amajiki remarked.
At the school auditorium, Momo and her class are almost done with their choir performance in front of an audience consisting of students and visitors. Bakugo sat among them ever since Ochaco escorted him to the auditorium and suggest him to enjoy watching a few performances.
When the students of Class 2-A finished singing, Bakugo and the rest of the audience stood up and applaud. Momo and her classmates hold each other's hands and bow down to them.
As the performers turn and leave, Ochaco comes on stage and speaks to the audience with a microphone in her hand, "Once again, that is Class 2-A with their choir performances of 'Sakura Sakura' and 'You Raise Me Up'. Up next, give a round of applause for Class 2-D with their traditional Japanese dance and musical instrument performance!"
Ochaco returns to the backstage as the audience clap their hands. She reunites with Hado who is watching the students of 2-D entering the stage. All of them are dressed in black and blue kimonos while carrying fans, flutes, drums and kotos.
"Please enter the stage in an orderly fashion and be careful with the instruments. They are delicate school property." Hado advised the performers before turning her head to Ochaco. "Everything is going smoothly, Uraraka-senpai."
"Uraraka-senpai!" Izuku suddenly cried, much to their surprise.
"Midoriya?" Ochaco said incredulously as she and Hado see him going over to them.
"What the-who are you?! Are you one of the performers?" Hado furiously asked Izuku.
"Sorry, Hado-senpai. I'm not." Izuku said apologetically, bowing his head to her.
"Then you can't just barge right in here. Please leave the auditorium now." Hado reprimanded.
"But I just wanted to talk to the president." Izuku said, staring pleadingly at Ochaco.
"But you can't just-" Hado gets cut off when Uraraka gently holds her arm up in front of her.
"Hado-san, would you please temporarily take over in supervising the school performances?" Ochaco asked politely.
"Um…if you say so, Uraraka-senpai." Hado said with a nod.
"Arigatou." Ochaco briefly smiled at her before she follows Izuku to the backdoor of the auditorium.
"Izuku, where exactly are we going?" Ochaco asked as she continued following Izuku up the stairs.
"We're almost there." Izuku replied. When they reach the top of the stairs, Izuku opens the door and the two enter the rooftop. Izuku looks around the area for a moment as Ochaco closes the door behind her. "Alright, just the two of us here."
"Izuku, what is going on?" Ochaco asked.
"I just want to tell you something. That is all." Izuku said.
"Seriously? And do we really have to talk now?" Ochaco asked in bewilderment.
"Yes." Izuku said solemnly. Ochaco gazed at Izuku for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"Alright. What is it?" Ochaco inquired.
"Ochaco, remember when I said that I like you back in Oshima?" Izuku asked.
"Yes." Ochaco nods her head.
"And then you said the same thing to me." Izuku said. "Tell me…what do you mean when you said that you like me?"
Ochaco gasped. As both stood quietly and gazed at each other for the next thirty seconds, Izuku waited in anticipation, hoping that she will give him the response he hoped for. Soon, Ochaco's lips began to move, causing Izuku to widen his eyes and gapes his mouth slightly open.
"I like you…for how far you have come." Ochaco said, finishing it with a tender smile. As Izuku continued staring at her, his face slowly distorts into a disappointed frown. "When I first moved into your apartment, I dedicate myself in helping you rebuild your social skills and opening up to others again. And by the time we went on that vacation together, I am already impressed with how many friends you have made and reconciled with along the way. That…was what I meant when I said that."
After gazing at her for a few more seconds, Izuku pursed his lips as he fights back the urge to cry.
"Izuku?" Ochaco asked concernedly.
Izuku did not reply. Instead, he makes his way closer to Ochaco. And when they now find themselves standing just a few inches away from each other, Izuku gets down on a knee and gently grabs her hand. When he looks up at her, Ochaco gasped again as she sees tears brimming in his eyes.
"O-Ochaco…" Izuku struggled to say. "I…I'm really grateful…that fate has brought the two of us together. You made me rediscover…how wonderful life can truly be. So…thank you…for everything you have done for me…and I hope…I will find another person like you in my life."
Izuku gave one last gentle pat on Ochaco's hand before he gets up and walks away. He was wrong all along. He was a fool for thinking that the student council president of Nerima Academia would ever fall for a normal student like him. Ochaco deserves someone better, and it would be selfish of him to try and convince her to fall for him instead. But at least he finally got to know the unabridged truth behind her response, and at the end of the day, that is all that matters to him. Izuku soon reaches the door and places his hand on the handlebar. He would have to think of a reason why his eyes are red when he reunites with his classmates at the-
"IZUKU!"
Izuku gasped as he releases his hand from the handlebar. As soon as he turns around to see what is happening now, Ochaco mindlessly runs over and wraps her arms around him. And to his shock, as Ochaco pulls him into a tight hug, she plants her lips against his.
For a few moments, Izuku tries to comprehend what is going on right now. But eventually, he closes his eyes and finds himself kissing her back. Izuku wraps his arms around her and the two stayed in their warm embrace for what seemed like a long time.
Izuku and Ochaco later break away from their kiss and stare into each other's eyes.
"I…I don't understand…" Izuku said softly.
"I…I'm sorry, Izuku…" Ochaco managed to choke out as tears began forming in her own eyes. "I…I do love you…"
"Really?" Izuku said with his eyes widened.
"Yes!" Ochaco nods her head. "The moment…you gave me the omamori as a gift…it was when…I've realized how much you truly cared for me…all the times when we hang out together…helping others together…we really are more than just friends…but at the same time…I was afraid…of telling you how I truly feel…because of the fact…that you are moving away…and I…I'm sorry that I only ended up hurting you!" She finished by letting out a loud wail and burying her face onto his shoulder.
After hearing what she had to say, Izuku pursed his lips and rests his chin on her shoulder as he pulls her closer to him. He rubs her back every time he felt her tremble, and they both stayed in their embrace for another few minutes until Ochaco finally managed to bring her sobs to an end.
Izuku and Ochaco both pull themselves away from their hug and wipe whatever tears that remained in their red puffy eyes. When they are done, they stare at each other again until they manage to give each other a weak smile.
"Izuku…" Ochaco uttered. "How I wish…we can keep staying together like this…"
"Me too." Izuku said quietly. With that, he and Ochaco lean towards each other and share another kiss. It was at this moment that Izuku didn't care about the fact that he and his mother are leaving soon, or anything else in the world right now. All that mattered is that he and Ochaco are finally together, and he could not be happier.
Eventually, Izuku returns to his classroom to resume his duties as a waiter while Ochaco goes back to the auditorium to supervise the school performances. From then on, everybody in school enjoyed the rest of the festival.
When the performances came to an end, Ochaco escorts Bakugo to Class 2-B where they have a meal together. Izuku was there to personally hand Ochaco and Bakugo the bowl of udon noodles and the plate of curry rice which they ordered. Izuku, Ochaco, and the other students watch in a mixture of amusement and bewilderment as Bakugo wildly eats his curry rice, mainly because of how much he enjoys Sato's cooking. After finishing their food, Ochaco thanked Izuku and the rest of the class and she continues escorting Bakugo around the school.
When afternoon came, Izuku, Shouto, Denki and Jirou change shifts with their classmates and they get to leave the café to experience the festival for themselves.
Eliot and Melissa scream as they rush out from the exit of Class 2-C's haunted house. They take a few moments to catch their breaths before they look at each other and laugh gleefully.
Izuku, Ochaco, Shouto and Bakugo visited Class 3-D where Himiko, Tomura and their classmates are holding an exhibition of all the artwork that they have done for the festival. Himiko introduced Ochaco her oil canvas painting of a rainy street, which is placed neatly on an easel, and the student council president is utterly impressed by it. Himiko gave additional information about her painting to Ochaco, which eventually leads them to having a friendly conversation with each other.
At the right end corner of the classroom, Tomura sat in front of a rotating pottery machine, which they kindly borrow from the school's design and technology room, and gave a live demonstration of creating a clay pot with his bare hands in front of Izuku, Shouto, Bakugo and a few other visitors. Afterwards, he invites Izuku to sit in front of the pottery machine. For the next thirty minutes, Izuku enjoys himself in sculpting his own clay pot, with Tomura guiding him along the way.
When Izuku, Shouto and Bakugo leave the school's main building, they meet up with Denki, Jirou, Momo, Neito and Itsuka at the game stalls. Izuku, Denki, Jirou and Momo played some darts while the others stood behind them and watch. In the end, both Jirou and Momo each won a keychain as their prize after managing to pop at least one balloon while Izuku and Denki each earned a pellet drum. Both boys wrap their arms around their shoulders as they celebrate their victory.
Meanwhile, Ochaco meets up with Tsuyu and Tsuburaba and the president allows them to take a break. She, Tsuyu, Tenya and the other council members bought their food from the stalls and they happily converse with each other as they eat.
Finally, everyone ends the day by heading to the school field where they are holding a relay race. The spectators including Izuku, Ochaco and their friends cheer loudly as they stood at the sides of the field. After a member of the volleyball club passes the baton to his captain, Mirio firmly grabs it and sprints his way towards the finish line, leading the other three competing school clubs by a long margin. As soon as Mirio crosses over the line, the spectators whoop and clap louder than before. Mirio later goes over to three of his fellow volleyball club members and they cheer triumphantly as they pull themselves into an embrace and throw their fists into the air.
After the race is over, the sun begins to set, and the visitors are starting to leave the school grounds. Izuku, Ochaco, Shouto, Tsuyu, Denki, Momo, Jirou and Melissa bid farewell to Eliot and Bakugo. The two of them wave goodbye to them before they turn to the gateway and make their departure.
Later that night, the students head to the school field again to celebrate the success of the festival. The school staff set up a large bonfire at the center of the field and everyone sang together.
Izuku, Denki, Shouto, Kirishima and Hanta sing in unison as they hold hands and sway side to side. At the other side of the field, Ochaco, Tsuyu, Tenya and the other council members clap their hands as they sing along with the rest of the school as well.
When they finish singing their song, everyone cheered wildly before they proceed to do their own things. Denki requests Sato to take a picture of him, Izuku and Shouto together with his phone. After doing so, Sato returns the phone to Denki and sends the photo to Izuku and Shouto.
Izuku briefly smiles at the photo in his phone before Denki goes beside him and wraps an arm around his shoulders.
"What a wonderful day we had today, huh?" Denki asked.
"We sure did." Izuku chuckled.
"We certainly had lots of fun today. But to think that this will also be the last festival for a lot of people here to experience before they enter society." Shouto said.
After listening to his friend, Izuku looked around the school field. He spotted Mirio and his fellow volleyball club members bursting into tears, knowing that this will be their captain's final festival before his graduation. He also sees some third-year students crying in front of their teachers, who try their best to comfort them. Finally, he also noticed Ochaco, Tsuyu, Tenya, Tsuburaba and Shiozaki giving tearful hugs to Hado and Amajiki as both are leaving the school by the end of the year as well.
"Yeah…you're right." Izuku murmured sadly.
"Izuku, this festival will also be your last as well so…" Denki sniffed as he tries to fight back his tears. "No matter where you go, promise me that you will never forget us."
"Of course not." Izuku said to him with a wan smile as he gently places his hand on his shoulder.
"Arigatou." Denki managed to choke out as he wipes away his tears.
"Izuku Midoriya."
Izuku, Denki and Shouto turn to see Tomura walking over to them. Shouto narrows his eyes, believing that Tomura is going to pick on his friend again. But to his surprise, Tomura gave a weak smile to Izuku as he extends his hand to him.
"Arigatou. I had a great time today with my classmates because of your advice." Tomura said.
Izuku smiled back at the older student as he grabs his hand. "You're welcome. Again, I wish you all the best for your future, Shigaraki."
An hour later, the students leave the school and make their way home. As usual, Izuku makes his way to the convenience store where Ochaco is waiting for him outside the entrance. The two of them happily wave their hands at each other as Izuku walks over to her.
"Look what I got for us." Ochaco said as she opens the paper bag in her hands for Izuku to see.
"Togata's candy apples!" Izuku said enthusiastically.
"Yup! I couldn't have the other students see us eating together at the festival today. So I asked Togata to make two of them for us to enjoy after our dinner." Ochaco said.
"Speaking of dinner, we really should go home now. We can't keep my mother waiting." Izuku said. Ochaco nods her head in agreement before the two began walking down the pavement together. As they do, Izuku could vividly remember what Tomura said to him.
It's painful when you take your life and time for granted…and never realize how precious they are until it's too late.
With that in mind, Izuku suddenly grabs her hand. Ochaco briefly stares down at their hands before she and Izuku look at each other and smile. They both look back to the front and enjoy the rest of their journey home together.
When they arrive at their apartment, Izuku and Ochaco use the elevator to make their way up to their household. They later find themselves standing in front of the main door and they smile at each other again.
"I had a great time today, Izuku." Ochaco said to him.
"So do I." Izuku replied before turning the knob. He opens the door and began to greet his mother warmly, "Mom, we're-"
"WELCOME BACK, OUR SWEET OCHACO!"
Izuku and Ochaco fell silent as soon as they are welcomed by a couple, who both spread their arms out ecstatically upon laying their eyes on the student council president. Inko stood behind and not too far away from them.
Izuku stares at the couple dumbfounded, having no idea who they are and what are they doing inside his household. But Ochaco does. When she finally regains enough control of her vocal cords, Ochaco manages to utter,
"Mom? Dad?"
Sovereign: I would like to thank LayLay lives, AquaBluey, AshPli, Eramis8, Lucifer, Guest, Deku902, fishboi21, martez0899, 3ldr4g0n. k1m3r4, TheRandomMangaGuy, DarkMobius213, kyash3025, Skaxis, kataangboomerangorangatang, DMavo, TrimusicaDrag00n90, XTernal-Bishop and Infinity Wizard for reviewing, favoriting and following my story. Thank you so much everyone!
It is great to be back!